Sleep lab team helps Pacific Air Forces sleep soundly

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  A specialized team of three 18th Medical Operations Squadron Airmen are working around the clock to help military members and families get a good night's rest. 

Kadena's very own sleep lab, the only one of its kind in Pacific Air Forces, recently opened its doors to help service members and their families with various sleep disorders. Prior to lab standing up, the 18th Medical Group clinic would refer Kadena personnel to civilian facilities in Naha for this type of service. 

The sleep lab is outfitted with a variety of tools designed to monitor a patient's sleep patterns and help diagnose exactly what is interfering with a good night's sleep. 

"Our primary equipment is a series of electrodes which gives EEG readings, a modified version of what neurologists use to evaluate brain waves," said Maj. Peter Crawley, 18th MDOS medical services flight commander. "It can tell us, depending on what the waves look like, what stage of sleep someone is in." 

The staff also uses EKG leads which look for any heart disturbances or unusual heart rhythms in the patient, chest and abdominal pressure sensors, air flow monitors and video cameras equipped with infrared sensors. 

Major Crawley and his staff use these tools to help patients with sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, insomnia, periodic limb movements of sleep and obstructive sleep apnea. 

"The most common sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea where patients stop breathing multiple times throughout the night," said Major Crawley. "The patient's airway can get obstructed up to 100 times per hour, so those patients never really get deep down into a restful sleep." 

Patients are referred to the sleep lab after seeing the primary care manager.
"Most of the patients referred to us go to their PCM and complain about always feeling tired," Major Crawley said. 

Since sleep medicine is still a relatively new field, treatment for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea is an ongoing process. 

"In general, treatment is life-long, but many of the disease processes associated with sleep apnea can be resolved with treatment and weight loss," said the major. "The disorder is very related to weight. When patients lose even 10 pounds, it could make a huge impact on the degree of obstruction that occurs in the airway." 

Getting a good night's rest is a vital part of a military member's well-being.
"Sleep is a vital component to a person's mental, spiritual and physical well-being," Major Crawley said. "Lack of sleep causes higher levels of stress which affects other elements of a person's life." 

The sleep lab staff recommends people to take certain steps to ensure they are getting enough sleep. 

"Exercising on a regular basis will help people get a more restful sleep as well as reduce stress levels," said Tech. Sgt. Dario Gutierrez, 18th MDOS NCO-in-charge of cardiopulmonary services. "But to maintain proper sleep hygiene and get enough sleep, people should avoid exercising or drinking caffeine right before going to bed."